In Rare Attack, Quinn Criticizes Thompson over D’Amato Support

The campaign of New York City mayoral candidate Christine Quinn unleashed a harsh attack Thursday on rival Bill Thompson, denouncing him for accepting the support of former U.S. Sen. Al D’Amato, whom the campaign labeled as an “enemy of women’s equality.”

“The last thing Democrats are looking for in a mayor of New York is someone who is ‘proud’ to have Al D’Amato’s support,” Ms. Quinn’s campaign said in an email to supporters. “Al D’Amato opposes everything Democrats stand for.”

“Help us send a message to anti-choice, anti-Medicare, anti-gun control Al D’Amato that, as Democrats, we’re not interested in the kind of right-wing attack-style politics that are synonymous with his name,” the email concludes.

The email is an unusual full-frontal assault from Ms. Quinn’s campaign, which, to date, has generally steered away from lobbing attacks on her rivals because she has been far ahead in the polls for the Democratic nomination. Ms. Quinn’s poll numbers have been falling, though, as she pursues her dream of becoming the city’s first female and first openly gay mayor.

Mr. D’Amato, a Republican who represented New York in the Senate for three terms beginning in 1981, could not immediately be reached for comment. He has been a top supporter and fundraiser for Mr. Thompson.

Earlier this week, during a segment on New York 1, Mr. D’Amato mocked Ms. Quinn’s decision to discuss her history with bulimia and alcoholism. “Oh, give me a break,” he said, calling her a “political hack” and suggesting her disclosure was politically motivated to soften her image.

Mr. Thompson said Wednesday he didn’t agree with Mr. D’Amato’s comments about Ms. Quinn’s decision to discuss her past. On Thursday, Mr. Thompson’s campaign responded quickly to the email sent out by Ms. Quinn’s campaign, tapping two top female supporters.

“This election is about real leadership on the issues women – and all New Yorkers – care about,” wrote Merryl Tisch, chancellor of the state Board of Regents, and Betsy Gotbaum, a former public advocate in New York City, in a campaign email. “For us, the choice is simple. Bill Thompson is the only candidate with the experience and temperament to get things done.”

The Thompson campaign has been using the word “temperament” often in a not-so-subtle dig at Ms. Quinn, who has been criticized for venting her fury when crossed.

For her part, Ms. Quinn has right-wing supporters of her own. She said she was “proud” to win the support of Staten Island President James Molinaro, a conservative who is opposed to abortion rights.